Entrepreneurship Drive in Maharashtra Gains Ground Through IndusInd Bank and BYST Initiative

Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan, Founding and Managing Trustee, Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, says the programme has facilitated nearly ₹2 crore in loans while supporting youth led enterprises in Dharashiv

IndusInd Bank and Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust have launched the Holistic Rural Development Program in Dharashiv, an aspirational district in Maharashtra, with the objective of enabling youth from underserved communities to build sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship.
The 39 month programme is designed to support semi skilled, unemployed, and underemployed youth, with a special focus on women and individuals from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. The initiative aims to equip participants with the skills, mentorship, and financial access required to transition into self reliant micro entrepreneurs.

Since its launch, the programme has reached 4,330 young people through outreach activities and counselled 852 potential entrepreneurs. Structured training has been provided to 205 participants, while 54 enterprises have received financial support and mentorship. To date, the initiative has facilitated ₹1.97 crore in loans, supporting early stage enterprise creation across the district. In addition, 51 local mentors have been trained to provide sustained on ground guidance.
The programme focuses on enterprises in the manufacturing, service, and retail sectors, with the intention of strengthening local economies, reducing migration, and creating employment opportunities within Maharashtra. By encouraging business activity at the community level, the initiative seeks to promote long term economic stability and inclusive growth.

Commenting on the programme, Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan, Founding and Managing Trustee of Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, said, “Micro entrepreneurship plays a central role in India’s economy, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. Manufacturing, service, and retail enterprises create local jobs and meet everyday needs while keeping economic value within the community. By providing structured support across these sectors, the programme helps young people move toward stable and sustainable businesses.”
The partnership reflects a community led approach to enterprise development, positioning local youth as drivers of economic progress. Through access to finance, mentorship, and sector focused training, the initiative continues to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems at the grassroots level.

Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust has spent more than three decades supporting young entrepreneurs from underserved backgrounds, helping them convert business ideas into viable enterprises through mentorship and financial access. IndusInd Bank’s CSR programmes focus on inclusive growth across education, healthcare, skill development, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability, supporting long term community impact.

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